MANSFIELD: Town centre boost plans already ‘very successful’

Council chiefs say many suggestions in a new blueprint for the future of Mansfield’s town centre have already been implemented.

Their comments come after Mansfield MP Sir Alan Meale this week unveiled a report highlighting 50 ways that could boost trade in the town.

Mike Robinson, head of regeneration at Mansfield District Council, said: “The council is committed to regenerating Mansfield town centre, working in close partnership with Mansfield BID, Nottinghamshire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership.

“Over recent years vast improvements have been made in the town centre, led by the council and its partners. This year alone has seen the opening of the new £9m bus station and the completion of the £2.4m Queen’s Place retail and office development.”

Mansfield BID manager Sarah Nelson said the organisation has been “very successful” under its remit and successful events include the Mansfield garden and craft festival, which saw over 8,000 people attend over two days, and the summer beach where footfall was up by 4.79 per cent on the previous year.

She said work undertaken includes marketing through publications such as the town centre magazine and website, and offering businesses help in many other ways such as security and the nationally-recognised business crime partnership, alongside the cleansing and maintenance team. Businesses are also given access to better rates on services.

She said: “The BID has recently also raised additional revenue to install FREE Wi-Fi in to the town centre, being the first of its size to do so in the UK.

Sarah said recent Experian reports show Mansfield’s retail ranking has risen from 137 to 112 in the last two years and expenditure has gone up by 7.14 per cent while vacancy rates are below the national average.

She added the report had some thought-provoking ideas and welcomed anything encouraging closer co-operation.